7 Tips for Surviving Thanksgiving

7 Tips for Surviving Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is here and the holidays are around the corner. Even though it’s only a one day event, it can wreak serious havoc on your waistline if you’re not careful. It’s important to start the season right by avoiding a binge on this tempting holiday. If you maintain your weight over Thanksgiving weekend, it will be easier to keep yourself in check when you hit all the parties, meals and festivities coming your way over the next five weeks.

Try these weight loss hacks to make your Thanksgiving great without packing on the pounds.

1. Bust out the skinny jeans.

Avoid loose fitting clothes and elastic waistbands in favor of skinny jeans, a bodycon dress or anything that makes you look and feel slim. Wearing something too roomy gives you carte blanche to overindulge. A sleek outfit will keep you in check and help motivate you to skip seconds.

2. Color your plate.

Boost your antioxidant intake by filling your plate with vibrantly colored veggies. Fill up on cranberry sauce, salad, green vegetables and sweet potatoes rather than their starchier, more fattening counterparts.

3. Love it or leave it.

Be selective about your splurges. Only choose your favorites instead of piling your plate with foods you feel neutral about but can only have them on Thanksgiving. Pass on the mediocre choices—you’ll take in less calories overall and have more room for your favorites.

4. Slim down the trimmings.

Some of the sauces and gravy that are served with Thanksgiving dinner are loaded with simple carbs, fat, calories and sodium. Trim the unnecessary evils!

5. Load up on potassium.

The important mineral counteracts your sodium intake to help you combat bloating. Snack on a banana during the day, eat a spinach salad and enjoy some beta-carotene-rich sweet potatoes with your meal. Another good way to increase your potassium intake is to enjoy a fruit bowl as a snack. Fill it with fruits like papayas, kiwis, cantaloupe and strawberries.

6. Squeeze in a workout.

One of the most important things you can do on Thanksgiving Day is exercise. Get up an hour early if you have to, but make it happen. A good workout will rev your metabolism, burn extra calories, boost your energy levels and make you feel more motivated to keep your consumption in check.

7. Take digestive measures.

Don’t stop with a workout—take other steps to promote healthy digestion after a bigger than usual meal like Thanksgiving. Get out for an after dinner walk. Drink some ginger or peppermint tea. Burn some extra calories by helping your host clean up.

Follow these steps and you’ll stay on track without sacrificing fun. Click here to discover more effective weight loss hacks.